How to Order Your Album:

Now you're staring at all of your favorite images in your online gallery. How do you get from here to your finished album?

To provide the best service possible to all of our customers, it is preferred that all album orders be placed within one (1) month of image gallery posting. This allows for the easiest/most direct access to your files and information, which means faster creation and shipping to you. And here is the easiest way to order your album(s):

First, access your image gallery by going to the main website:

http://www.michellewaters.com

and click on the View Your Photos link, near the bottom right corner of the page. Look for your name(s) under the month in which your wedding or session took place, and click on your name(s). Enter ANY e-mail address to access your gallery. No password is required unless a specific request for a password has been personally made.

Second, make notes of your favorite images. This can be done by making a favorites folder on your gallery, by clicking on the "+favorites" text (or the Star icon) directly below the chosen image(s). If you prefer to keep a hand written list, just write down the image/file name directly below your chosen image(s).

While picking out your favorites, keep a few guidelines in mind:

-For portrait sessions, keep a good balance of posed/slightly more formal and casual shots. If youre looking for your favorite 40 images, keeping the ratio between 50/50 and 30/70 (or 70/30) of posed vs. casual should look great. If you are torn between a few similar images, include several. They'll make great storyboards (a grid-like layout of several similar images, which almost looks like a mini-movie).

-For wedding images, think about the major events of your wedding day, and select a portion of favorite images from each part of the day, to tell the most complete story. For example:

Getting ready

Bride aloneBride with her Girls/Bridesmaids Groom alone

Groom with his Guys/Groomsmen

Ceremony Details (rings, decorations, church, flowers, dress, programs, etc.)

Ceremony

The First Kiss/Exit

Family Pictures

Wedding Party (Bridesmaids, Groomsmen, Ushers, Ring Bearer, Flower Girl, etc.)

Bride and Groom together

Reception Details (decorations, cake, food, etc.)

Dances (first, mother/son and father, daughter, if applicable)

Reception Activities (toasts, cake cutting, garter and bouquet tosses, if applicable)

General Reception Fun (dancing, laughing, and fun friend and family shots, etc.)

Following the above list will give you a well-balanced story line.

**-As a general rule, its best to keep 2-3 images to a 2 page spread. More than this, on every spread, will make the album look too busy.

Exceptions to this rule are images for the ceremony and reception activities.

Most albums are available in 20, 30, 40 and 60 page versions. One album style (Photo Paper Mounted Storybook/Digital Album) is also available in 2 page increments, if you just can't get within certain guidelines for image selection.

**-Guidelines for image selection (how many for X amount of pages):

60 page album-about 100 images (6-7 images per event)

40 page album-about 70 images (4-5 images per event)

30 page album-about 50 images (3-4 images per event)

20 page album-about 30 images (2 images per event)

If you find there are two different images you need to compare, select the Compare box below each image you want to compare, and the two images will open up together in a new window.

If you find you have just too many favorites, select Favorites, near the top of the screen, in the online image gallery. Once your favorites folder is displayed (all of your favorites only are displayed), you can reverse the selection of a favorite by now clicking on -favorite, instead of the original +favorite (or selecting the Star icon again) displayed in the All images gallery.

**Third, once you have your favorites list finalized, click the link Email favorites to photographer link near the bottom right corner of the screen. Fill out the small info field, and well have your pictures to begin album creation.

If you can't narrow down your favorites within the guidelines provided, you can always send us a completed Album Design Release of Control form. There are even options on this form to release control entirely (not wanting to choose your favorites), or to allow the studio to use discretion in which images to eliminate from your favorites, to fit into the best layout design.

-Appointments are available to help with your ordering process, in your home or in our office, but are available on a limited schedule due to weddings and portrait sessions keeping us on the road. :)

-Phone call orders are not preferred, due to possible communication errors. Having the order in writing/print, directly from you (via the website, Order Form or e-mail) are the most reliable forms of ordering, and ensure the fastest delivery and best service.

Special editing requests (cropping at a certain spot for an enlargement, removing blemishes, BW/Color combos, removing glare, etc.) within our abilities will be done for no extra fee, but must be requested in the special notes field of the online ordering, printable Order Form, or e-mail orders.

Special editing will not be assumed, but will be given extra consideration for album creation and large size prints and canvases. If you have questions/concerns about certain images, kindly contact us before placing your order.

All albums must be approved for production before being sent to the press or album company for final creation. Therefore, it's highly encouraged that you carefully look over your album preview, once online, before your final approval. Once the album is printed, charges will be made for reprints.

Prices do not include shipping or WV sales tax, and are subject to change.

1/2 the album order total may be paid at the time of order placement, with the balance due 2 weeks later. No part of the order will be shipped until full payment is received.

Pricing:

At this point, all Storybook and hand-bound albums are under the same pricing:

Main/First Albums:

12x12 albums: 20 pages-1000.00 30 pages-1500.00 40 pages-2000.00 60 pages-2500.00

10x10 albums: 20 pages-500.00 30 pages-750.00 40 pages-1000.00 60 pages-1250.00

Parent/Gift Size Albums:

5x7-7x7 albums: 20 pages-300.00 30 pages-450.00 40 pages-600.00 60 pages-750.00

Duplicate Albums (same layout, same size):

Subtract 25%

Main Albums-Extra Pages:

5x7-7x7 albums-15.00/page 10x10 albums-25.00/page 12x12 albums-50.00/page

Turnaround:

Albums are created in the order in which the favorites lists are received. During the busy wedding season, album creation may take up to 2 months before a preview is available.

Once the album is approved, orders are placed every Monday through the studio.

Storybook and digital layout albums typically arrive at the studio within 4-6 weeks from approval of online preview, and receipt of payment.

Traditional and hand made style albums typically arrive at the studio within 3-4 weeks from recipt of release of control form (no way to proof these online), and receipt of payment.

Please refer to the Print Ordering Information for turnaround on other photo items.

Estimated turnaround times do not include holidays.